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Community Foundation Of North Texas

Annual Giving
$47.0M
Grant Range
$8K - $0.1M

Community Foundation Of North Texas

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $47,000,000 (2024, record year)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $7,500 - $83,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: 11-county region in North Texas (Bosque, Denton, Hill, Hood, Jack, Johnson, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, Wise, and Young counties)
  • Total Assets: $549,000,000 (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 777 Main Street, Suite 2850, Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Phone: 817.877.0702
Email: connect@northtexascf.org
Website: https://northtexascf.org

For Grant Inquiries: Whitnee Boyd, Ed.D., Director of Community Impact | 817.877.0702 | connect@northtexascf.org

Overview

Founded in 1981 as a program of United Way and becoming independent in 1989, the North Texas Community Foundation (formerly Community Foundation of Metropolitan Tarrant County) has grown into one of North Texas's most significant philanthropic institutions. The Fort Worth-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit ended 2024 with $549 million in total assets and awarded a record-breaking $47 million in grants—the highest in its history. Serving more than 330 individuals, families, and businesses across an 11-county region, NTCF distributed grants to 1,300 organizations in 2024, supporting programs in education, healthcare, arts and culture, economic development, and environmental conservation. Since 1981, the Foundation and its donors have granted more than $450 million to organizations in North Texas and beyond. NTCF holds a Charity Navigator 4-Star rating (100% score), Candid Platinum Transparency seal, and Community Accredited Foundation status.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

ToolBox Grants: Capacity-building grants ranging from approximately $11,000+ per organization, supporting nonprofits serving vulnerable communities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, leadership, and technology. The program runs on a three-year cycle with rotating focus areas. Note: No ToolBox grant cycle in 2025; check back in 2026.

Conservation and Environment Fund: Annual grants for programs promoting environmental stewardship and preservation of open-space land in North Texas.

  • Educational programming: Up to $7,500 per organization
  • Conservation & environment projects: Up to $25,000 per organization
  • Application method: Online grants portal

Animal Fund: Supports organizations rescuing abused, injured, or lost animals and providing preventive spay/neuter surgeries, focusing primarily on dogs, cats, and horses, plus equine-assisted therapy programs.

BEACON Fund (Building Economic Access, Community, Opportunity & Networks): Provides operational support to organizations in historically disinvested neighborhoods focused on housing, jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential community elements.

Better Together Fund: Rapid response grants for organizations serving those hardest hit by natural disasters in the community. Past grants ranged from $12,500 to $83,000, supporting community recovery including education, workforce development, service industry support, and healthcare.

Fund for Good: Awarded $500,000 in its inaugural 2024 year to support transformative community projects (e.g., Presbyterian Night Shelter's Journey Home Housing program, Best Place for Kids' work with Tarrant County Maternal & Infant Health Coalition).

Fleetwood Memorial Foundation Fund: Financial assistance to Texas law enforcement or fire protection personnel injured or killed in the line of duty, and their families.

Children's Fund: General operating support to high-impact organizations serving victims of child abuse and neglect, and their families.

Advised Grants: Over half of NTCF's annual grant distribution comes from donor-advised funds. Nonprofits cannot apply directly for these; donors recommend grants from their charitable funds, which the Foundation then awards.

Priority Areas

  • Education and workforce development
  • Healthcare and mental health
  • Arts and culture
  • Economic development
  • Environmental conservation and land preservation
  • Animal welfare
  • Housing and community development
  • Support for vulnerable populations (children, abuse victims, disaster survivors)
  • First responder support
  • Capacity building for nonprofits

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Nonprofits should contact the Foundation directly for detailed eligibility criteria for specific grant programs.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The 25-member Board of Directors consists of community volunteers, Foundation fundholders, and professional advisors who are local community leaders ensuring NTCF remains "a dependable resource and beacon of progress for North Texas."

Officers:

  • Meggie Lowy (Chair) - Senior Vice President, Hillwood
  • Horatio Porter (Vice-Chair) - Chief Financial Officer, North Texas Tollway Authority
  • Orlando P. Carvalho (Corporate Secretary) - Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin, Retired
  • Jeremy Smith (Assistant Corporate Secretary) - President, Rainwater Charitable Foundation
  • Joseph D. Taylor (Treasurer) - Chairman, Board of Managers, JTaylor
  • Winjie Miao (Assistant Treasurer) - SEVP, Texas Health Resources
  • Phil McCrury (Chair Emeritus) - Partner, Kelly Hart
  • Daniel H. McCarthy (Past Chair) - Partner, Wick Phillips Gould & Martin
  • Ken Schaefer (At Large) - President, Schaefer Advertising Co.

Board Members: Smith A. Brownlie III (Founding Partner, Cotton Creek Capital), Crystal Flores (Head of Engagement, Ivy League Sisters), Becky Nussbaum Gerro (Director of Development, River Legacy Foundation), Jennifer Grammer (CPA, Whitley Penn), Stacy Landreth Grau (Associate Dean, TCU), Ryan Heath (Founding Attorney, TrustPoint Legal), Kelly Hein (CFO, D3G Capital Management), James R. Hille (Former CIO, TCU), Janeen Lamkin (Community Volunteer), Anette Soto Landeros (Chief Strategy Officer, Trinity Metro), Lindsay Daniel Livesay (Private Wealth Trust Market Manager, Bank of Texas), Savannah Petronis (Financial Advisor, Baird Private Wealth), Malathi Ravi (Attorney, Wick Phillips), David Saenz (Senior Education Advisor, Fort Worth Mayor's Council), Stephen Shannon (CEO, Colo Development Partners)

Leadership Team

Rose Bradshaw - President & CEO: "At our core, we're connectors. We connect donors with the causes they care about, nonprofits with the resources they need, and community leaders with the opportunity to solve pressing challenges together." On philanthropy: "There are no quick fixes to the biggest problems we face." On Fort Worth: "Fort Worth is a place where people respond when they find out about a problem and show up to help."

Key Staff:

  • Kate Cepak - Interim Chief Financial Officer
  • Whitnee Boyd, Ed.D. - Director of Community Impact
  • Margaret Kramer - Director of Donor Engagement
  • Amanda Lewis, CAP, CFRE - Director of Charitable Gift Planning
  • Taylor Snyder - Associate Director of Communications
  • Amy Radcliffe - Associate Director of Donor Relations

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Competitive Grant Programs: Applications accepted through NTCF's online grants portal. All proposals are reviewed and evaluated by volunteer grant committees consisting of diverse community leaders and subject-matter experts. The Foundation awards grants year-round and manages various competitive grant cycles powered by donor generosity.

Advised Grants: Nonprofits cannot apply for these funds. Donors recommend grants from their charitable funds, and the Foundation awards grants on the donor's behalf. These represent over half of NTCF's annual grant distribution.

Nonprofit Profile Tool: The best way for organizations to update NTCF on their organization and current funding needs. Step-by-step instructions are available for download.

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by grant program. Competitive grants are reviewed by volunteer committees on program-specific schedules. Contact the Foundation for specific program timelines.

Success Rates

The Foundation awarded:

  • 2024: $47 million to 1,300 organizations
  • 2023: $35.2 million across 743 awards
  • 2022: 636 awards
  • 2021: 587 awards

Specific success rates (percentage of applications funded) are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Organizations should contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Build a Relationship Through the Nonprofit Profile: NTCF values deepening their knowledge of the community and nonprofits. Their Nonprofit Profile tool is described as "the best way for organizations to update NTCF on their organization and current funding needs."

Understand the Grant Structure: Recognize that over half of NTCF's grants come from donor-advised funds (not available through competitive application). Focus on competitive grant opportunities where your organization fits the specific criteria.

Focus on Community Impact: Recent funded projects demonstrate NTCF's commitment to transformative community change, including housing programs (Presbyterian Night Shelter's Journey Home Housing), maternal health coalitions, capacity building for vulnerable populations, and environmental conservation.

Demonstrate Organizational Strength: ToolBox Grants emphasize capacity building, indicating NTCF values organizational effectiveness, strong leadership, and up-to-date technology. Even when applying for other programs, demonstrating operational soundness is likely important.

Serve the 11-County Region: While NTCF has funded organizations beyond North Texas, priority is given to nonprofits serving their 11-county region (Bosque, Denton, Hill, Hood, Jack, Johnson, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, Wise, and Young counties).

Address Equity and Access: The BEACON Fund's focus on "historically disinvested neighborhoods" and programs supporting "vulnerable communities" suggests NTCF prioritizes equity, access, and addressing systemic challenges.

Examples of Recently Funded Organizations: Fort Worth Botanic Garden (goatscaping project), Presbyterian Night Shelter, Best Place for Kids, multiple animal rescue organizations, and conservation-focused nonprofits.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Dual grant structure: Over half of NTCF's $47 million in annual grants come from donor-advised funds (not available through application). Target competitive grant programs that match your mission.
  • Geographic focus matters: Priority given to organizations serving NTCF's 11-county North Texas region, though grants have been made beyond this area.
  • Build visibility: Use the Nonprofit Profile tool to keep NTCF updated on your organization and funding needs—this is highlighted as the primary way to stay connected.
  • Timing varies by program: ToolBox Grants run on a three-year cycle (no cycle in 2025); Conservation grants are annual. Check the website regularly for current opportunities.
  • Committee review process: Volunteer committees of community leaders and subject-matter experts review competitive grants, suggesting applications should be accessible to non-experts while demonstrating impact.
  • Values-driven funding: Rose Bradshaw's emphasis on being "connectors" and addressing community challenges suggests NTCF values collaboration, relationship-building, and long-term community impact over transactional grantmaking.
  • Mission alignment: Demonstrate how your work connects to NTCF's six focus areas (animal welfare, capacity building, first responders, land conservation, opportunity & access, scholarships).

References

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